FIND CHEPSTOW LEISURE CENTRE

YOUR JUDGES

Pat Butler-Holley (Shandwick)

I have always been interested in dogs from a very early age after watching my uncle showing Wire Fox Terriers in his white coat and flat cap, with lots and lots of white powder (chalk) all over the place. How times change!

The first Irish setter I owned was rescued but to rescue her I had to buy her as she needed to be removed from that home as soon as possible. After much confidence building and conditoning of her, we tried obedience work, which after she retrieved a Yorkshire Terrier in a dogcoat I decided this wasn’t for me!

Following this adventure I took her to an exempton show (named a companion show these days), she won her classes and the rest is history, I was hooked into the showing world which was hardly surprising really.

My kennel of Irish Setters and in later years Welsh Springer Spaniels have proved to be very successful over the years in the show ring, with many gaining their UK Show Champion titles together winning well over 100 Challenge Certificates between them. Many others have been very successful around the world gaining their titles for their owners in their respectve countries, this is something I am very proud about.

To win with your own stock is simply wonderful but to see other people win with stock you have bred is quite special. Success in both breeds have seen us winning top breeder, top puppy, top dog/bitch, and winning many CC doubles along the way. Joining this with many BOB’s and Group wins in both breeds is something I am immensely proud of and all achieved with only breeding the occasional litter. I currently award Challenge Certificates in 8 breeds and to date I have judged the Gundog Group at championships shows 3 times with more scheduled in the future.

I have judged in Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Poland and not forgetting The Isle of Man. Currently I attend the Kennel Club Judges Development Programme, and also attend many breed specific seminars which is something I enjoy, this gives me a fuller understanding of the diferent nuances of the diferent breeds, which in turn improves my knowledge and experience, which I continually seek.

In 2006 I had the honour of judging Irish Setter bitches at Crufts. In past years I have served on several committees in a variety of diferent positions for different clubs. I have also been proactive in the health of Irish Setters over many years and have served on the Joint Health Group for Welsh Springer Spaniels.

On a personal note I am honoured to be invited to judge at the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales, to judge is a privilege, to judge at a club show in a breed that I hold dear to my heart is a real privilege. For this I say thank you and I am very much looking forward to the day.

Catherine Dods (Balcraig)

I was introduced to Welsh Springer Spaniels in 1977 when we went to replace a Cocker Spaniel but when we saw a beautiful Welsh Springer named Rosecourt Perfecta there was no hesitation in deciding our next pet would be a Welsh Springer, so a dog puppy was booked from the late Shirley Westrup.

Rockypoint Rise N Shine (Bryn) was shown occasionally, but then showing alongside Jock Beattie with Sh Ch Dalati Brig of Knockmains he didn’t get very far. My showing started in earnest in 1978 with Rockypoint Shine On (Dai) who was a son of Rosecourt Perfecta. In 1979 I got my first bitch who became Sh Ch Rockypoint Bronwen of Balcraig (Blaze) in 1982. Her first CC was under Mrs CatherineSutton at City of Birmingham, her second from Jimmy Cudworth at Richmond and the third from Mrs AM Jones, M.B.E. at Midland Counties.

In 1983 a puppy from Blaze and Dai was exported to Australia, she became Aus Ch Balcraig Blaze Away and was the foundation bitch of the Plattwood Kennels in NSW. At present I show Sh Ch Gellyburn Damselfly JW ShCM from a mating between Balcraig Misty Melody and Sh Ch Slapestones Tornado, also her daughter Gellyburn Gaelic Damsel at Balcraig who has 2CCs & 2 RCCs and Slapestones Summer Tide at Balcraig.

My first judging appointment was in 1983 and since 1992 have awarded CC’s many times, have also judged all gundogs and BIS at Open Show level. In the 1990’s I had the privilege of judging a number of the top dogs from the Dalati, Wainfelin, Cwrt Afon, Hillpark and Russethill kennels.

Since 1986 I have been the breed representative for Gundog Breeds of Scotland. I have been fortunate to have judged the other three Breed Clubs at Championship Show level so feel it is a great honour to be chosen to judge the South Wales Welsh Springer Spaniel Club and look forward immensely to this appointment.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY OUT

Even if you are not showing your dog why not come along to support the competitors. There's refreshments available in the leisure centre's cafe.

It's a great opportunity to meet up with club members and see a multitude of Welsh Springers in one place - and learn all about them.

As we are located in Chepstow it's a great setting-off place to go and explore the beautiful Wye Valley - there's the famous Chepstow Castle and the wonderful Tintern Abbey is just 5 miles away.

Why not arrange a dog walk with friends and family and drop in to see us at lunchtime or later on to see the awards of the day's winners.

There's always a warm welcome at our shows and it's the ideal place if you want to learn more about the breed - we look forward to seeing you there.